1953 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet
Chrysler
“Downsizes”
In a “downsizing” move, all Chryslers now sat on the old Saratoga/Windsor wheelbase of 125.5 inches. The only long wheelbase car remaining was the 139.5-inch wheelbase model that was used for the 8-passenger sedans that were now labeled as a Windsor and a New Yorker.
General Year Information
In a downsizing switch, all Chryslers sat on the old Saratoga/Windsor wheelbase of 125.5 inches. The only long wheelbase car remaining was the 139.5-inch wheelbase model that was used for the 8-passenger sedans that were now labeled as Windsor and New Yorker. The New Yorker limousine replaced the Saratoga nameplate in this model.
Most sheet metal panels were carried forward on all models, continuing the styling of 1951-1952. However, in reacting to the critics of the brand’s stodgy styling, two major changes were made. One was to redesign the roof line with more rearward slope. The second was to add a one-piece curved windshield – the first since the Chrysler Airflow of 1934-1937.
Minor revisions were made to the tail lamps and the grille. Parking lamps were located on a separate pod below the headlamps and between the upper and lower wraparound grille bars. Chrysler added a third grille bar to the New Yorker which encompassed the parking lamps. The Club Coupe now became more sedan-like in style. All station wagons and eight-passenger cars continued to use the 1951-1952 Windsor rear fenders including trim and tail lamps. The gas filler was now located below the deck lid on the left side, except on those models using the earlier style fenders.
Big news was the introduction of the Powerflite fully automatic two-speed transmission that debuted late in the model year, in June 1953, replacing Fluid Drive. It was so popular over 35.000 were installed in Chryslers by the end of the model year. Air conditioning and chromed wire wheels made their appearance as new options.
The 1953 Chrysler line was introduced in dealer showrooms on October 30, 1952. Prices on most Chrysler models were lowered between $27-$274 on March 25, 1953 , depending on the model.
Models Offered
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WINDSOR SERIES 60-1: The Windsor remained the low-price Chrysler offering. It still offered the Club Coupe, the 4-door Sedan, the Town & Country wagon and the 8 passenger 4-door sedan. Chrysler doggedly stuck to the lowly 119 HP L-Head six-cylinder power plant for these cars, a serious miscalculation.
WINDSOR DELUXE SERIES C60-2: The Windsor DeLuxe, the upgraded version of the base Windsor, featured only three body styles: 4-door sedan, Convertible and the Newport Hardtop.
Styling was identical to the base Windsor series, with only upgraded interior finish as a distinction. “Windsor DeLuxe” appeared on the fenders to denote the model. Windsor rear fender stone shields were noted for their stylized horizontal bumps. Rear tail lamps used an integrated backup lens with the upper red lens divided vertically.
NEW YORKER SERIES C56-1: The Saratoga nameplate was replaced by the “New Yorker” moniker, and this was was found on the front fenders. In this third year of the Hemi V-8, it was continued with the same configuration of 331 CID and 180 horsepower. Major styling changes paralleled the Windsor changes, although there were grille and rear fender splash shield differences.
The “V” insignia was affixed to the hood and rear deck lid and denoted the Hemi-engine power plant. The eight-passenger and Town & Country wagons used the 1951-1952 style rear fenders and trim. A popular option was two-tone paint.
NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C56-2: The top-of-the-line Chrysler was now the New Yorker DeLuxe. The DeLuxe offered an additional body style over the base New Yorker, the convertible coupe. Deleted from this model was the eight-passenger sedan and Town & Country station wagon.
The upholstery was notably upgraded. Nameplates were located on the front fender above the wheelhouse opening. Powerflite became standard equipment late in the model year, replacing the Fluid Drive/Fluid-Torque Drive transmissions. New Yorker DeLuxe series cars were now also built in the Los Angeles facility.
Engines
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Windsor and Windsor DeLuxe Series Engine. L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. 264.5 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.438 x 4.75 inches. Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 119 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 218 ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM. Camshaft Duration: Intake 236°, Exhaust 236°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.375″ (Exhaust) 0.375″. Five main bearings. Carburetors: – Standard shift – Ball and Ball Model Ball and BallEX1R or EX2R; Fluid Drive M-6 transmission – B-B E9A1 Carter or Stromberg 380349.
New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Horsepower: 180 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 312 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.375″ (Exhaust) 0.362″. Compression ratio: 7.5:1. Carburetors: Carter WCD 9315, 931SA, 931SB, or 931CS.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker long wheelbase models – 139.5″ All Others – 125.5″.
- Overall length: Long wheelbase cars: 222.1″ All Others: 211.0″.
- Front tread: All except Limousine: 57.25″,
- Rear tread: All except Limousine: 58.282″, Limousine 66.0″.
- Overall width: All except Limousine: 75.125″ Limousine: 80.875″.
- Tires: Long wheelbase cars – 8.20 x 15, Short wheelbase cars – All Windsors 7.60 x 15, All New Yorkers 8.00 x 15. Windsor, Windsor DeLuxe 7.60 x 15, Windsor, Windsor DeLuxe, long wheelbase cars and Station Wagon: 8.20 x 15, New Yorker: 8.20 x 15. White walls available at extra cost.
Power Train Options
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- Windsor: Three-speed manual transmission standard with Fluid Drive optional.
- Windsor DeLuxe, New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe: Fluid Drive hydraulically operated M-6 transmission standard.
NOTE: June 1953 – Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission replaced the Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission.
Body Paint Color Codes
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1953 Chrysler
| 5 Arctic Blue | |
| 6 Erie Blue | |
| 7 Niagara Blue | |
| 8 Columbia Blue | |
| 9 Potomac Blue | |
| 20 Vermont Green | |
| 21 Foliage Green | |
| 22 Everglades Green | |
| 35 Pearl Gray | |
| 37 Submarine Gray | |
| 45 Caravan Beige | |
| 46 Cinnamon | |
| 47 Cocoa Brown | |
| 60 Hollywood Maroon | |
| 61 Pimento Red | |
| 65 Casino Cream |
1953 Chrysler –
Current Market Values
Significant Options
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- Electric windows lifts.
- Air conditioning.
- Exhaust deflector.
- Fluid-Torque Drive.
- Fog lamps.
- Locking gas cap.
- Outside Rear view mirror (both sides available).
- Power brakes.
- Power steering.
- Power windows.
- Powerflite Automatic Transmission (beginning June 1953).
- Solex glass.
- Spare tire valve extension.
- Sun visor.
- Two-tone paint.
- Windshield washer.
- Wire wheels.
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1953 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker convertible moved down to the old Saratoga’s 125.5″ wheelbase, but lost no interior room. At $4,025 base, it didn’t lose anything in its selling price, either. Only 950 were delivered.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker Newport 2-door Hardtop
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Newport 2-door hardtop was only number four on the high-priced Chrysler model list, but number one in sales of those big ticket models with 3,715 sold! Good looks and V-8 power sold cars in 1953.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door Sedan
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door sedan was The most popular New Yorker with a combined sales total in Standard and DeLuxe models of 58,125 delivered.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door Coupe
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door coupe was a modest seller with 9,683 leaving the showroom. Most likely it was overshadowed by the Hardtop.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country wagon replaced the former Saratoga T&C model, and offered a posh interior. 1,399 left the showroom.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker 8-Passenger Sedan
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker 8-Passenger sedan was the only New Yorker on the 139.5″ wheelbase. It was an anachronism that did not sit well with Chrysler buyers, seeming stodgy regardless of V-8 power. Only 100 were sold.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker’s New Features
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker’s new styling encompassed two key features. The the center horizontal grille bar terminating in a new parking lamp and the divided rear tail light were very prominent.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker New Fender & Windshield
All 1953 Chryslers featured longer rear fenders to exaggerate the car’s length. All now had a curved front windshield.
1953 Chrysler New Yorker Front Fascia
The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Grille had two features to distinguish it from the lesser Windsor – The “V” emblem denoting the Hemi V-8 under the hood, and an additional grille bar to make the front fascia more massive.
1953 Chrysler Windsor Convertible
The 1953 Windsor Convertible was just as stylish as the New Yorker variant, but with almost half the horsepower in an era where HP counted – only 1,250 were sold.
1953 Chrysler Windsor Newport 2-door Hardtop
The 1953 Chrysler Windsor Newport 2-door hardtop was only available in the DeLuxe line and sold respectably at 5,642 units.
1953 Chrysler Windsor 2-door Coupe
The 1953 Chrysler Windsor 2-door coupe was restyled to appear more like the hardtop. This change doubled the car’s previous year’s sales at 11,646 units.
1953 Chrysler Windsor 4-door Sedan
The 1953 Chrysler Windsor 4-door sedan outsold the New Yorker version at 64,264 – but not by much. Horsepower was starting to determine sales.
1953 Chrysler Windsor Station Wagon
The 1953 Chrysler Windsor Town & Country wagon sold about evenly with it senior V8 powered version with 1,242 delivered.
1953 Chrysler Windsor 8-Passenger Sedan
In 1953 the Windsor eight passenger sedan outsold its V8 sister by 4 to 1 with 450 delivered, surprising in that with the anemic I-6 power plant, it had to be slower than molasses in January.
1953 Chrysler Windsor Grille Changes
The 1953 Chrysler Windsor grille was different from the New Yorker’s. It had no “V” emblem (only six cylinder powered) and it also lacked the New Yorker’s grille center bar.